Switch-box.



W. 0. FOWLER.

SWITCH BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1911.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

4 i ,23 2/ 2 1/11011441701, /VLZZLWW/ O. fion-*ler W. 0. FOWLER.

SWITCH BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 7, 1911.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

2 SHEETS-*SHEET 2.

WILLIAM '0. FOWIJEB, 0F WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON.

SWITCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent. i

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Application sled June 7, 1911. f serial No. 631,788.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. FowLER, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at lVenatchee, in the county of Chelan and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in SwitchnBoxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch boxes and more particularly to that type which is adapted for mounting flush wall switches. In mounting these switch boxes it is necessary that the switches thereinbe arranged flush with the plaster so as to properly receive the facing plate. Frequently, through carelessness or the position of the supporting board or part, the box cannot bebrought flush with the plaster and, in order to mount j, the switch plate, it is necessary to apply a number ofiwashers and a long screw. This was extremely inconvenient for if the correct number of washers were not placed upon the screw in the first instance the plate had to be removed and the operation tried over again.

It is the object of this invention to avoid these difficulties by providing means whereby the switch mounting arms may be adjusted upon the box so as to bring the switch flush with the plaster.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for supporting the box upon a board or other support in such a manner that the square hole in the board,

now necessary for. the proper adjusting or mounting of the box, may be dispensed with anda notch formed in the side of the board may be used. This lessens the labor, of installation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a box having atremovable side and spacing members adapted to coact with the box and with the removable side, so

that additional switches may be mounted in the box when necessary.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following specic description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a wall or partition showing the switch box mounted therein. Fig. 2 is a front elevation with the facing plate and a portion of the plaster removed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the box. Fig. 4 is a sect-ion on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an inside elevation of the adjusting mechanism removed from the box.' Fig. 6 shows a top plan view of the box with the spacer applied. Fig.' 7 is a detail section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the spacers used.

In mounting these switch boxes and flush switches it has sometimes been the practice of electricians toco-nnect them directly to the laths This, however, is not good practice and work of this character done by the best electricians includes a supporting board 1 which is mounted between a stud 2 and the partition 3. This makes a thoroughly reliable mounting and holds the switch steady.

The switch box comprises a substantially U-shaped frame 4 having the usual plugged passages for the conductor. Secured to this U-shaped frame is a side 5 which is made .permanent thereon in any suitable manner.

The opposite side of the frame has mounted therein the screws 6 which are adapted to be engaged by the notches 7 formed in the lateral ears 8 of the removable side 9 and also the notches in the lateral ears 10 of the U- shaped spacer, shown .in Fig. 8. This spacer is also provided with screws 11 adapted to engage the lateral ears 8 of the side 9 when the spacer is applied to the frame 4. These spacers may be applied in any number to the frame 4 or to each other so that apluralit-y of switches may be mounted in the box when necessary. Each side member has secured thereto, so as to be adjusted thereon, the att-aching brackets 12 provided with holes 13 to receive the attaching screws which enter the supporting board 1, the supporting board being notched from one side, so as to receive the switch and permit the brackets to'lie upon opposite sides of the notch.

Each link of the Ushaped frame is provided, adjacent its free end, with a recess 14 formed by depressing the material of which the frame is formed in order that a socket maybe formed to receive the switch mounting member or bracket 15. This member is slidably mounted in the recess and is proof a housing 23 which is secured .over the socket 14 by means of screws 24, the screw being held against longitudinal movement in the end by-means of a collar 25.

When the switch is secured to the bracket 15 within the box the screw 21 may be rotated in the housing and, as this screw has threaded connection with the lateral -inger 19 of the bracket 15, the bracket l5 will be adjusted inwardly or outwardly according to the direction of rotation of the screw and the switch thus positioned within the box, so that its outer surface willbe. flush with the plaster. The front plate 26 may then be applied ink the usual manner. l

Having thus described thel invention, what I claim as new is:- .J

1. In a device of the class described, the

combinatitfn with a substantially U-shaped v frame, of sides secured thereto, the ends of said frame being recessed, brackets secured uponthe sides for securing the box to asupport, and means slidably mounted in the recesses for securing the switch -in the box.

- 2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a substantially U-shaped frame having sides secured thereto, the ends of the box being recessed, brackets adjustably mounted uponthe sides for securing the box upon a support, housings carried on the ends over the recesses, switchj mounting'- members slidably mountedinthe recesses, and means carried by the housings for adjusting said switch mounting members.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses. A

WILLIAM O. FOWLER. Witnesses:

' FLORA DORA,

D. F. PETERS. 

